In an early clinical trial, a new drug called CPI-444 appears to keep cancer in check, alone and in combination with another immunotherapy. The drug targets the adenosine pathway, which acts as an on/off switch for cancer-attacking immune T cells. The trial has 11 participating hospitals, and cancer immunology expert Leisha Emens, M.D., Ph.D. is leading the study at the Kimmel Cancer Center. “Some patients receiving either CPI-444 alone or in combination with atezolizumab are experiencing control of tumor growth,” says Emens. The drug is being tested in triple-negative breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma and other cancers.